Brief Summary

Express fishboats are often made for taking the fight to the fish and not much else. The cabins are typically no frills, bunk down for the night and get back to fishing the next morning, layouts. A few actually make the cabin family-friendly by making separate staterooms and settees with tables. Rampage, the “Made for fishermen, by fishermen” company, has created a sleek and functional battlewagon in their 38 Express, and her cabin keeps the guys happy at the end of the day too.

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

Engine Options

Std. Power

Not Available

Tested Power

Currently no test numbers

Opt. Power

Twin CAT C9, 575 MHP, DSL

Rampage 38 Express (2009-2010) Line Drawing

Captain's Report

The Rampage 38 is probably the fastest, most fuel-efficient boat in class due to the 13' 9" (4.19 m) beam. Her 513 gal. (1,949 L) fuel capacity gives her a 518-nm cruising range at 18 knots with a 10% fuel reserve. Cozumel, anyone?

#1 Gel Coat Finish.

The thing that jumps out for most people when the first see the Rampage 38 is her glossy gel coat and her superb exterior fit and finish. Her good-looks won't raise fish but they sure raise an owner's pride.

A classy interior makes a cozy place to have a scotch after a hard day's work and recall the expert handling of the ones that didn't get away. The table breaks down into a double bunk.

#2 Interior Finish.

Rampage was one of the early builders of express fishboats who realized that boaters wanted an interior that looked more like a yacht and less like something you wash down with a garden hose. With customers who were CEOs of companies and board chairmen, the interiors had to be as upscale as were the interiors of a fine cruising express. Since the company that owns Rampage, KCS, also owns Cruisers Yachts, it wasn't a difficult thing to do.

About half the boat is for the hunt and the capture, and half is for the accommodations. Note the huge fish boxes in the cockpit and the stall shower in the head.

#3 Fishing Features Galore.

All fishboat builders claim that their boats have great "fishability" and almost all do. The differences is the Rampage 38 just does most of it bigger. Her cockpit is 100-sq. ft., the two fish boxes in the cockpit sole are 5'6" long, the tackle drawer console is large full of containers and drawers of lures and other gear, the cockpit bolsters are standard and removable, the transom livewell is 55 gallons, and she has ZF trolling valves as standard equipment.

Proper, and tidy, systems installations is one of the most important areas that set one boat builder apart from others. Rampage's parent company insists on a high-level of workmanship. Note the orderly cable runs on the forward engine room bulkhead.

#4 System Installations.

Perhaps the most important aspect of any boat is the quality of its systems installations. Are they properly engineered and installed with TLC? KCS insists in both of its product lines. Just of few of the things we like on the 38, in addition to its neat and tidy installations, are: Fuel Tank inspection hatch, the dual electromechanical rams that lift the bridge deck up revealing the engine room, the finished fiberglass engine room liner, the automatic fire extinguishing system, high water alarm, engine synchronizer and the six heavy-duty marine batteries.

We like the helm on the Rampage 38 because four people can sit facing forward, something that is rare on any size boat. Note that the wheel is on the centerline as it should be and all of the real estate on the instrument console.

#5 The Helm and Bridge Deck.

Regular readers know we like as many seats facing forward on the bridge as possible and Rampage obliges with four. Thee are three pantograph, large windshield wipers, and electric air vent in the windscreen, room on the helm console for two 15" screens plus other read outs, and a tilt-out console to get at the back of the electronics. The helm is on the centerline which it should be on a fishing boat.

With a sharp entry, a 19-degree deadrise at the transom, and a 13'9" beam, the Rampage 38 is design to be first out to the fishing grounds not matter where they are. The half tower is optional.

#6 Performance is Outstanding.

The Rampage 38 is on of the fastest, most fuel-efficient express fishboats on the market in her size range. The reason is not because she is super-light or is flat at the stern. On the contrary at 24,000 lbs. displacement she is in the middle of her peers, and with a 19-degree deadrise at the transom she is similar to other boats seeking offshore comfort. The secret is in her beam -- it is one of the narrowest in class at 13'9" (4.19 m). With twin 480-hp Cummins diesels we have tested her with a WOT of 37.7. With these engines her best cruise is at 18 knots where she burns 16 gph and has a range of 518 nm with a 10% fuel reserve.